The building, used as an overnight public rental, was destroyed by fire last September. The fire apparently started inside the chimney.

The U.S. Forest Service wants to move the Willard Tool House, a
historic structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940, to
the site. The tool house is at Willard, Wash.; the Peterson Prairie cabin was about six miles west of Trout Lake, Wash.

The project budget is $75,000, including the structure
relocation, foundation construction and finish carpentry. To date, about a third
of the budget has been secured. Mt. Adams Institute is helping to raise
additional funds.

The cabin had been a popular recreational rental because it was one of the closest available rentals to Portland/Vancouver. Available year round, it required a three-mile ski/snowshoe/snowmobile approach in winter. But the route is relatively level and is groomed as a snowmobile trail, making for easy access.

The 87-year-old cabin also was at ground level, not in a fire lookout. A fire lookout may sound romantic to rent, but there is the problem of going up and down stairs repeatedly during a rental stay.

The Mt. Adams Institute is looking for cash donations, but also for donations of material and time. Look at the group's website, or call 509-395-3469.